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Monday, July 13, 2015

Testing, eh?

Last fall, my family finally did the paperwork to apply for Canadian citizenship. When we were looking to leave Montreal, our options were pretty open. Moving to Ottawa meant a commitment to Canada... hence the application. The mail to set the date for the exam came more quickly than expected with a shorter timeline: we take the test in two weeks.

When I reached out to my friends, their help was amusing and sometimes helpful (thanks, JTL).

So far, I have been informed that the test contains some skills that are not mentioned in the guide, and as well some answers:

Skills tests:

"The best part of test is undoubtedly when you have to write five polite responses to American jokes about Canadian stereotypes." (thanks, KA)

I believe the answer is always "sorry".

There is a French component (JTL is not always helpful).

Mais non!

Be able to sing O Canada (thanks, SGS)

I know the beginning and end. Can I hum the middle?

The hands-on canoe skills part of the exam is pretty tricky. (thanks, LN)

As long as I don't have to be in the same canoe as my wife, I think we can both pass.

Sticky issues:

Crown stuff. I cannot let Phil Lagassé down!

I don't really sing well, so hopefully the singing test is just about getting 2/3s of the words right.

Stephen M. Saideman

Intro

Greetings! I am a political scientist, specializing in International Relations, my research and teaching focus on ethnic conflict and civil-military relations. I watch way too much TV, and I like movies as well so I tend to write about both and find IR stuff in pop culture. I rant alot about American politics and sometimes about Canadian politics. I like to take ideas I once learned a long time ago and apply them to whatever strikes my fancy.